Analogue vocoder - compressor?

[baward]

I have a 1970's Korg VC-10 vocoder which is great, but I am trying out a new microphone with it. Should I use/do I need a compressor with the mic? Or a limiter? The bespoke MS-01 microphone (the one on the gooseneck) works well, but is a little long in the tooth. Thanks!

[resistorman]

Nope.

[The Elf]

No, you don't *need* a compressor with a vocoder, but it can help enormously.

[baward]

Many thanks for your responses.

[resistorman]

No, you don't *need* a compressor with a vocoder, but it can help enormously.

Sure, but this only has mic level inputs, the external 3vpp input is for tone sources. Considering you'd have to use a mic preamp into a compressor then some kind of reamp circuit to match the mic input it seems way too convoluted with a lot of potential for noise and distortion without much (ahem) gained.

[Sam Spoons]

Since a vocoder only uses the mic input to generate the speech formants used to modulate the synthesised sounds I can't see any advantage in using a different mic unless the original is broken?

[The Elf]

Generally speaking, over the decades I've found that the cheaper the mic, the better it works with a vocoder. No need to worry about distortion, or other artifacts.

There's really very little to worry about in terms of the quality of signal arriving at the vocoder - just do what works.

[Martin Walker]

There's really very little to worry about in terms of the quality of signal arriving at the vocoder - just do what works.

I'd agree with that - if anything, it's adjusting your vocal delivery that makes the biggest difference in getting a suitable vocoded sound.

[Zukan]

I prefer to leave dynamic processing alone, bar maybe using eq if after a very specific texture, and letting the transients shine though into the vocoder. The transients themselves are an important aspect of vocoding particularly when affecting drum beats or highlighting the formant pops of vocals.